Priesthood

Following
the Prophets
"The basic doctrines call for real discipline of self; they are hard
because wise self-discipline is hard. Among the requirements that God has laid upon us is
to pay heed to His living prophets. In our dispensation this has been described as
"following the Brethren." Elder Neal A. Maxwell

The
Priesthood
"Jesus Christ is the great High
Priest of God; Christ is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power
on this earth (Heb. 5- 10). Man does not take such priesthood power unto himself; it must
be conferred by God through his servants (Heb. 5:4; D&C 1:38)."

Keys of the
Priesthood"The keys of the priesthood refer to the right to exercise power in
the name of Jesus Christ or to preside over a
priesthood function, quorum, or organizational division of the Church."

Priesthood
Offices
"Priesthood offices are appointments or callings in The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve in specified areas of priesthood
responsibility."

Priesthood
Ordinances
"Latter-day Saints cherish priesthood blessings as a vital source of
grace in facing the crossroads, crises, setbacks, anxieties, and decisions of life. Those
who give and receive blessings at the hands of the priesthood in this spirit are lifted up
and sustained, and healed in mind, body, and spirit."

Melchizedek
Priesthood
"The Melchizedek Priesthood is the authority, responsibility, and
power to act in the name of Jesus Christ and to organize and direct part of his work.
Through the opportunities of this priesthood, men and women in partnership with God can
conduct the work of the family and the Church."

Aaronic
Priesthood
"Young men twelve to eighteen years of age, and older
men who are new converts, are ordained to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood, "which
holds the keys [governing or delegating authority] of the ministering of angels, and of
the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins"
(D&C 13)."

General
Authorities
"General Authorities are men called to serve at the
highest levels of leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As
general priesthood officers of the Church, they have Churchwide rather than local
stewardship and may receive assignments anywhere in the world. In order of precedence, the
General Authorities include the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, quorums of the seventy, and
Presiding Bishopric (see Organization)."

President of the
Church
"The President of the Church is the prophet, seer, and revelator who
is authorized to direct the affairs of the Church throughout the earth. He speaks and acts
under divine guidance from Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church."

First
Presidency
"The First Presidency is the governing body of and highest ranking
quorum in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its authority, duties, and
responsibilities extend over every person and all matters in the Church."

The Priesthood Quorum
In October 1998 General Conference, Elder D. Todd Christofferson explains
the purpose and importance of priesthood quorums.

Council
of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles"Each week the two presiding quorums of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints meet jointly as the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles. Meeting in a room in the Salt Lake Temple, this council discusses and
decides all major Church appointments and policy matters."

Presiding
Bishopric"Since its formation, the Presiding Bishopric has been responsible
for many of the temporal affairs of the Church."

Succession
in the Presidency
"Upon the death of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, the senior apostle in the Church's governing quorums becomes presiding
officer of the Church."

Bishopric
"The bishopric, consisting of the bishop and two counselors, is the
presiding or governing council in a ward (congregation). These three men oversee all
Church programs in the ward. They are assisted in the clerical, financial, and other
administrative work by an executive secretary, a ward clerk, and assistant clerks as
needed."

High Council
"A high council is a body of twelve high priests who are called and
set apart in each stake to assist and advise the stake presidency under whom they
serve."

Mission Presidents"In the Church being a mission president is regarded as a challenging
and exhilarating spiritual assignment, a link of fellowship with the Master.

Assistants
to the Twelve
"As General Authorities, Assistants to the Twelve had the authority
to minister throughout the Church and to fulfill assignments as directed by the Quorum of
the Twelve.

Honoring the Priesthood
"Priesthood isn't something we take off during the week and put on
for Sunday. It is a 24-7 privilege and blessing--that is, 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week." Bishop H. David Burton